The Princess Stopped Begging for Love, But They Became Desperate to Give Her Everything Chapter 04

The Princess Stopped Begging for Love, But They Became Desperate to Give Her Everything Chapter 04

Time had never moved so slowly.

Over the next few weeks, I made myself as invisible as possible at home.

Everyone was busy with Isabella’s graduation and birthday party, so my supposed rebellion slipped out of focus.

My parents also bought Isabella a sports car as a graduation gift.

I happened to be there when it was delivered.

Mom’s expression tightened when she noticed me.

“It’s your sister’s graduation gift. If you want a car too…”

I spared her the rest of the sentence.

“I don’t need one. Once I’m in Montana, I’ll mostly be on campus or at field sites anyway. It would be a waste.”

Her relief was instant.

“We’ll pick out something else for you next time.”

But I knew there wouldn’t be a next time.

She’d forget the promise the moment the conversation moved on.

I was already used to them forgetting anything that had to do with me.

Which suited me perfectly.

I didn’t want their gifts anyway.

Every morning, I left early and spent most of the day at the library.

Sometimes I passed Caruso Holdings headquarters and ran into longtime employees from Dad’s company.

They called me “Miss Caruso” with perfect manners, while their eyes held that faint mix of pity and condescension.

I knew what I was in their world.

An uncomfortable complication.

Nothing like Isabella.

She was the acknowledged Caruso heiress, polished and elegant, everything our parents were proud of.

Sometimes it felt as if my only purpose was to prove the Carusos had done right by the biological daughter they’d lost years ago.

How ironic.

Finally, the day came for me to leave.

I had booked an early morning flight to Montana.

I hadn’t told anyone what time I was leaving.

The night before, I rolled my already packed suitcase into the living room.

The three of them were on the couch watching one of Isabella’s favorite shows, laughing at something on the screen.

The laughter stopped the moment they saw the suitcase.

“Elena, are you…”

“I fly out tomorrow morning. I’m heading to school.”

I kept it brief.

“Tomorrow morning? Already?”

Mom stood, suddenly flustered.

“Why didn’t you tell us sooner? We can have the driver take you to the airport.”

“I already booked a ride.”

I declined without hesitation.

Dad sat there with a dark expression, saying nothing.

“Why do you have to be so stubborn?”

Mom came over and reached to smooth my collar, though it didn’t need smoothing.

I leaned slightly away.

Her hand froze in midair.

Hurt flickered across her face.

Something small and old stirred inside me.

Then it disappeared.

Some damage can’t be repaired once it’s done.

In my previous life, I would have given anything for that casual touch.

In this life, I no longer needed it.

“I’ll handle my tuition and living expenses myself.”

I looked at them, my voice as calm as if I were discussing someone else’s life.

“You don’t need to worry about me anymore.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

Dad slammed one hand against the arm of the couch and stood.

“Elena! Is this really necessary? Have we treated you so badly that you have to stand there and talk like we’re strangers?”

“Lorenzo!”

Mom caught his arm.

Isabella hurried to intervene too.

“Dad, please don’t get angry. That’s not what Elena means.”

Then she turned to me, pleading.

“Elena, apologize to Dad. You’re upset. You don’t mean what you’re saying.”

I looked at all three of them.

Suddenly, I was exhausted.

“I’m telling the truth.”

I extended the handle of my suitcase.

“I’m leaving.”

I didn’t wait for their reactions.

I turned and walked toward the front door.

“Elena!”

Dad’s furious voice thundered behind me.

“If you walk out that door tonight, don’t ever come back!”

My steps paused.

I didn’t turn around.

“Okay.”

One quiet word.

It felt as though it took every ounce of strength I had left.

Then I opened the door and walked outside.

The night air was cool against my face.

I took a deep breath.

It felt as though an enormous weight had finally been lifted from my shoulders.

Behind me, the grand front door slowly closed.

With it went fifteen years of fighting for something that had never really been mine.

I knew then that my life was finally beginning.